Bourdy maintains Austrian Open lead

Frenchman Gregory Bourdy will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Austrian Open with Spaniard Rafa Cabrera-Bello his closest rival and Englishman Chris Wood five shots adrift.

The 33-year-old Bourdy, from Bordeaux, followed rounds of seven-under 65 and five-under 67 with a 69 on Saturday he pursues a first victory since the Wales Open in 2013.

Bourdy has had three top-ten finishes this season and missed only two cuts as he chases a fifth career EPGA victory.

He was a star at the 2013 Seve Trophy event, at Saint-Nom-La-Breteche near Paris, when his perfect haul of five points from five matches helped Jose Maria Olazabal’s European defeat Sam Torrance’s Great Britain and Ireland team 15-13.

The last time he led after three rounds was in 2009 at the Hong Kong Open when he went on to win his first and only Asian Tour event.

The day’s play at the Diamond Country Club was delayed by 95 minutes due to storms.

“It was another good round because it was difficult today, especially with the suspension of play so three under was a good score,” said Bourdy.

“After the delay the wind was a bit stronger which made it a bit more difficult but I think I did quite well at the end.

“I am in a good position – it’s always nice to be two ahead going into the final round, but it will be a tough day and I am sure it will be an exciting day playing with Rafa who is a great guy.

“I’ll relax tonight and have a nice dinner and get ready for tomorrow (Sunday).” added the Frenchman.

Cabrera-Bello’s round of 66 included an eagle at the par fourth third hole and six birdies with two back-nine bogeys.

Wood, who finished fourth at the recent European PGA Championship, where he won a brand new car with a hole-in-one, and also finished in a tie for third at the Trophee Hassan II this season, nailed four.

But he was undone by a double bogey at the ninth and bogey at the 17th in a round of 70.

Scotland’s Scott Jamieson and Englishman Matthew Fitzpatrick are on nine under and six shots off the pace with American John Hahn and Finland’s Mikko Korhonen a further shot back.

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